Bontrager is no stranger to purpose-built carbon road wheels, but the new Aeolus Pro 3V is the first set out of Waterloo, Wisconsin directly aimed at gravel and adventure riding.

The new Aeolus Pro 3V’s 25mm-wide (internal width) OCLV carbon rims are designed to support tires 32mm and larger, and the molded plastic rim strip provides the same reliable tubeless performance as on other Bontrager tubeless rims and wheels. Outside, the 32mm external width and 35mm-deep D3 Dual Directional Design rim shape are meant to provide an aerodynamic benefit over shallower wheels, even when bigger tires are used.

Bontrager pairs those rims with cartridge bearing hubs, with the rear featuring the company’s Rapid Drive 108 ratchet internals, which — as the name suggests — offer a 108-tooth drive ring and a responsive 3.33° engagement speed. Both hubs are designed for 12mm thru-axles (15mm front end caps are optional) and Center Lock splined brake rotors, and are available with either Shimano/SRAM 11-speed or SRAM XDr driver bodies.

Joining everything together are 24 stainless steel spokes in a two-cross pattern front and rear, with an aggressive 14/17/14-gauge butting profile to help minimize weight.

The new Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V TLR Disc carbon wheels are designed be reasonably light, but also sufficiently durable for proper gravel riding. Included with the wheels is Bontrager’s Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Program, which offers no-cost replacement or repair of the rim for two years after purchase.

Speaking of which, claimed weight for the set is 1,575g (720g front; 855g rear). That’s reasonable for the category, particularly given there’s no rider weight limit specified. That said, it’s important to note that that figure doesn’t include the molded plastic rim strips required for tubeless use, which weigh about 50g apiece. There’s also no 650b variant available yet, either, for riders who prefer to go that route.

Nevertheless, the new Aeolus Pro 3V wheels look pretty interesting, and we’ll find out just how well they hold up in the real world once we’ve had a chance to beat up the test set that just recently arrived.

Bontrager intends the Aeolus Pro 3V to be used with tires at least 32mm-wide. Unfortunately, there’s no 650b version announced just yet, although that doesn’t mean there isn’t one coming at a later date.

Special molded plastic rim strips are required if you want to run the Aeolus Pro 3V tubeless. Each strip adds 50g of weight, but the special shaping also makes for unusually good tire security relative to many taped rims.

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